Rockets Q&A: A fan’s guide to the offseason

For all that the Rockets answered, returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and taking the Oklahoma City Thunder to six games in an intense, emotional and wildly entertaining series, new questions have arrived.

There is some improvement expected just from the growth of the league’s youngest team. The Rockets do not plan to stop there. They have aspirations much greater than just sneaking into the playoffs and making a good show of a first-round loss. They protected all that salary-cap space for a reason. They still have a roster crowded with question marks.

After 82 games and six playoff contests, these questions have come to the forefront for the franchise.

A: No. Unless he somehow makes it abundantly clear he won’t leave L.A., the Rockets will make a run at the league’s best point guard.

But Paul fits Los Angeles and will be given a huge voice in the organization decisions to come. He’s unlikely to leave.

Q: Howard then?

A: They’ll go after him, and he will listen. The Rockets believe they need another star-caliber player and that Howard will be that again. They might have the best chance of any team if he leaves the Lakers.

Q: Why would he leave the Lakers, especially when they can offer a $117 million, five-year contract and the Rockets can offer only $87 million over four seasons?

A: Short answer: Kobe Bryant is 34, James Harden 24. Bryant is coming off a major Achilles injury and is signed for just one season. Beyond that, Howard called his season with the Lakers “a nightmare.” The history of the Lakers center is a burden. The Rockets’ history of top centers is more of a club he’d be invited to join, especially given his relationship with Hakeem Olajuwon. Kevin McHale would be ideal for him as a Hall of Fame big man himself able to push Howard, but with a sense of humor that would appeal to Howard. Even the $30 million difference in the contract might not be a factor. With California’s Proposition 30 millionaire’s tax, Howard would net more in Texas over four years, and many top players choose to opt out of a fifth season to return to free agency more quickly.

Q: How can the Rockets have that kind of cap room?

A: It might not be too difficult. Depending on the next salary cap, they would need only slight maneuvering. They would have to pass on their rights to several players who aren’t in their playing rotation along with Francisco Garcia. Then, they would have to clear roughly $3.5 million either by moving Thomas Robinson or two of last season’s rookie contracts. They would not want to do almost any of those moves but would for Howard.

Q: What would happen to Omer Asik if they landed Howard?

A: The Rockets could play them together. They were playing Greg Smith with Asik. And they will likely have years of facing the full-sized frontcourt of the Grizzlies, Thunder and even the Clippers. But even if they stick with range-shooting fours, bringing Asik off the bench can work, especially initially. The Rockets could move Asik for a better fit, but they would not take a deal in which they got less than they think he’s worth.

Q: So is it Howard or bust?

A: No. Owner Leslie Alexander indicated the Rockets would like to spend their allowance on some sort of an upgrade. They will, however, be careful about locking up anyone that would keep them from chasing that second star if they don’t get him this summer. Josh Smith and Paul Millsap would be the top power forward options to chase. David West appears extremely unlikely to leave the Pacers. The Rockets would look to plug in a proven veteran at the position, but only at the right price.

Q: About those contract options, would they really let go of such key players?

A: Absolutely. Garcia was outstanding in the postseason, but the final season of his contract is worth $6.4 million, a hefty price. Carlos Delfino’s injury will make it tough to pick up his option by the June 30 deadline. He revealed it to be similar to the injury that ended Yao Ming’s and others’ careers. He could come back, but under the free agency circumstances it will be tough to make that commitment in June. They could re-sign players they let become free agents using cap exceptions.

Q: Would the Rockets spend that way?

A: If they added a player who would jump them to contender status, they would spend what the rules allow. Alexander said on Saturday he would go into luxury-tax territory for the right player or under the right circumstances.

Q: What about the rookies, especially at power forward?

A: The plan is to bring them all back and let Thomas Robinson, Donatas Motiejunas and Terrence Jones compete for playing time. Jones’ strong finish to the season probably puts him in front, but any of the three could emerge from the pack. Robinson has a high motor and athleticism that would fit well in the rotation. Motiejunas has offensive skills and a phenomenal work ethic but will need to develop some strength defensively. Jones might have the best mix of attributes of the group.

Q: Didn’t you leave someone out?

A: Royce White? He also is on the roster. His contract is guaranteed for next season, but there is almost nothing he can do now that would make the Rockets pick up the option to extend it. He will get a chance to get in their offseason program and summer league to demonstrate if he can help, or at least wants to. But the Rockets drafted him because they believed they had to gamble on his “top-five” talent. Since then, they have built a team far less desperate and traded for a player, Robinson, who actually was drafted in the top five. Earning playing time often is about earning a coach’s trust. White will have a long way to go to be considered reliable.

Q: What about the other rookie? What should be expected of Patrick Beverley?

A: He went from star of the Russian league to revelation of the NBA playoffs. The Rockets love his attitude, energy and ball-pressure defense. They also like his modest contract. He is very much in their plans. With experience, he should be able to play with the same intensity but with more control.

Q: Could he replace Jeremy Lin as the starter?

A: Doubtful. Beverley’s style gives him the backup quarterback advantage as a fan favorite, but Lin is just a better scorer and a better defender than his reputation, though his weakness pressuring on the ball is Beverley’s strength. Lin improved throughout the season, and they missed his hand on their offense, especially in the open court. He still must become a more solid range shooter and more effective in between catch-and-shoot 3s and blasts to the basket, but the Rockets absolutely believe he will continue to grow.

Q: Isn’t that about marketing?

A: Not even a little. McHale could not care less about a sponsoring tire company’s wishes. And Alexander is desperate to win. Besides, he’s not the guy behind the beard on the billboards.

Q: Speaking of James Harden, if the Rockets build the roster around him, can he be the best player on the best team?

A: Absolutely, but he’s not there yet any more than they are. Harden will have to become more determined defensively, but he shows all the talent for the job. As much as has been made about his late-game decision-making, that will come. It has been indecisiveness, rather than selfishness, that led to all those iso jumpers. He’ll get there. He has to improve in a variety of ways, but he is hungry to be great, the quality that, despite all the scouting and analysis, the Rockets had to find out for themselves.

For that matter, the core of the roster has that kind of ambition, from Chandler Parsons to Lin, Asik to Harden. If this season answered anything, it might be that.

Photo: James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle

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Aaron Brooks, Guard

Contract: Signed for one more season at team option.Comment: signed as insurance in case of a point guard injury, Brooks showed flashes of his scoring ability when Jeremy Lin was hurt.Stats: 7 G - 5.4 Min. - 1.4 Pts. - 0.3 Reb. - 0.9 Asst. less

Aaron Brooks, Guard

Contract: Signed for one more season at team option.Comment: signed as insurance in case of a point guard injury, Brooks showed flashes of his scoring ability when Jeremy Lin was ... more

Photo: James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle

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Francisco Garcia, Forward

Contract: Signed for one more season at team option.Comment: Garcia had a strong playoff series and was already widely respected by his teammates and coaches, but his contract will make him a free agent.Stats: 18 G - 17.7 Min. - 6.4 Pts. - 1.3 Reb. - 1.1 Asst. less

Francisco Garcia, Forward

Contract: Signed for one more season at team option.Comment: Garcia had a strong playoff series and was already widely respected by his teammates and coaches, but his contract will ... more

Photo: James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle

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James Harden, Guard

Contract: Signed for five more seasons.Comment: Harden produced an All-NBA caliber season as a go-to scorer and playmaker, and will be the center of the Rockets title aspirations.Stats: 78 G - 38.3 Min. - 25.9 Pts. - 4.9 Reb. - 5.8 Asst. less

James Harden, Guard

Contract: Signed for five more seasons.Comment: Harden produced an All-NBA caliber season as a go-to scorer and playmaker, and will be the center of the Rockets title ... more

Photo: James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle

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Carlos Delfino, Forward

Contract: Signed for one more season at team option.Comment: Delfino had a strong season as versatile scorer, but his broken foot is a huge injury heading into June 30 contract decision. He’s out four to six months and will be tough to come back.Stats: 67 G. - 25.2 Min. - 10.6 Pts. - 3.3 Reb. - 2.0 Asst. less

Carlos Delfino, Forward

Contract: Signed for one more season at team option.Comment: Delfino had a strong season as versatile scorer, but his broken foot is a huge injury heading into June 30 contract ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Patrick Beverley, Guard

Contract: Signed for two more seasons at team options.Comment: A revelation as a mid-season addition from the Russian league, Beverley is a bargain bringing high energy, ball-pressure defense.Stats: 41 G. - 17.4 Min. - 5.6 Pts. - 2.7 Reb. - 2.9 Asst. less

Patrick Beverley, Guard

Contract: Signed for two more seasons at team options.Comment: A revelation as a mid-season addition from the Russian league, Beverley is a bargain bringing high energy, ... more

Contract: Signed for two more seasons.Comment: Among the NBA’s most improved players, became reliable double-double producer, backbone of Rockets defense.Stats: 82 G. - 30.0 Min. - ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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James Anderson, Forward

Contract: Signed for two more seasons at team options.Comment: Rockets hoping he can develop into a rotation player as a defender, catch-and-shoot option.Stats: 29 G.- 10.6 Min. - 4.0 Pts. - 2.0 Reb. - 1.1 Asst. less

James Anderson, Forward

Contract: Signed for two more seasons at team options.Comment: Rockets hoping he can develop into a rotation player as a defender, catch-and-shoot option.Stats: 29 G.- 10.6 Min. - ... more

Photo: James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle

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Jeremy Lin, Guard

Contract: Signed for two more seasons.Comment: After a poor start, Lin had solid season, improving throughout until post-season injury, but will need to continue to improve as shooter and in between catch-and-shoot 3s and rushes to the rim. Stats: 82 G. - 32.2 Min. - 13.4 Pts. - 3.0 Reb. - 6.1 Asst. less

Jeremy Lin, Guard

Contract: Signed for two more seasons.Comment: After a poor start, Lin had solid season, improving throughout until post-season injury, but will need to continue to improve as shooter and ... more

Photo: James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle

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Chandler Parsons, Forward

Contract: Signed for two more seasons at team options.Comment: After a breakthrough season as a reliable scorer and solid rebounder, followed by a strong playoff series, Parsons is considered part of the long-term core.Stats: 76 G. - 36.3 Min. - 15.5 Pts. - 5.3 Reb. - 3.5 Asst. less

Chandler Parsons, Forward

Contract: Signed for two more seasons at team options.Comment: After a breakthrough season as a reliable scorer and solid rebounder, followed by a strong playoff series, Parsons is ... more

Photo: James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle

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Donatas Motiejunas, Forward

Contract: Signed for one more season with team options for two more seasons.Comment: Showed flashes of offensive skills, but will have to develop more strength defensively inside and a more reliable shooting touch from range.Stats: 44 G. - 12.2 Min. - 5.7 Pts. - 2.1 Reb. - 0.7 Asst. less

Donatas Motiejunas, Forward

Contract: Signed for one more season with team options for two more seasons.Comment: Showed flashes of offensive skills, but will have to develop more strength defensively inside ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Greg Smith, Center

Contract: Signed for one more season at team option.Comment: Smith showed signs of becoming a solid rotation player at two positions, but will have to become much more consistent.Stats: 70 G. - 15.9 Min. - 6.0 Pts. - 4.6 Reb. - 0.4 Asst. less

Greg Smith, Center

Contract: Signed for one more season at team option.Comment: Smith showed signs of becoming a solid rotation player at two positions, but will have to become much more consistent.Stats: ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Thomas Robinson, Forward

Contract: Signed for one more season with team options for two more seasons.Comment: As the Rockets’ most athletic frontcourt player, he will be among off-season projects to develop as an energy-oriented defender, rebounder.Stats: 19 G. - 13.0 Min. - 4.5 Pts. - 4.1 Reb. - 0.5 Asst. less

Thomas Robinson, Forward

Contract: Signed for one more season with team options for two more seasons.Comment: As the Rockets’ most athletic frontcourt player, he will be among off-season projects to ... more

Photo: James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle

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Terrence Jones, Forward

Contract: Signed for one more season with team options for two more seasons.Comment: Jones came on late in the season enough for the Rockets to hope he can develop into a dependable option at power forward.Stats: 19 G. - 14.5 Min. - 5.5 Pts. - 3.4 Reb. - 0.8 Asst. less

Terrence Jones, Forward

Contract: Signed for one more season with team options for two more seasons.Comment: Jones came on late in the season enough for the Rockets to hope he can develop into a dependable ... more

Photo: Patric Schneider / Associated Press

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Royce White, Forward

Contract: Signed for one more season with team options for two more seasons.Comment: White never played, never attended a game or practice after Nov. 10 and never contributed in any way, removing any chance Rockets would pick up the option to extend his contract to a third season.Stats: N/A

Not pictured: Tim Olbrecht, Center

Contract: Signed for two more seasons at team options.Comment: A late-season addition out of the NBA Development league, Rockets will see if Ohlbrecht can grow into a rotation player.Stats: 3 G. - 1.0 Min. - 1.0 Pt. - 0.3 Reb. - 0.3 Asst. less

Royce White, Forward

Contract: Signed for one more season with team options for two more seasons.Comment: White never played, never attended a game or practice after Nov. 10 and never contributed in any ... more